Four years ago, Jennifer and Danny Brittian decided to build a detached garage beside their Gardendale, Ala., home. The city said no and a legal battle was born.

The couple never imagined that their zoning variance case — for a garage — would eventually reach the highest court in Alabama. But it did. The Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling in favor of the Brittians last month, ending a judicial drama the couple thought would never end.